USFK Chief Tells Troops to Respect Korean Law

James Thurman

The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea has ordered troops to respect Korean laws while they are here and to leave unless they do. Gen. James Thurman was speaking after the recent handcuffing of Korean civilians by American military police over an argument.

"Gen. Thurman ordered the participants of a recent senior staff meeting in strong terms to prevent a recurrence of such incidents," a military source said on Tuesday. "He stressed the need to respect the laws and traditions of the host country." Thurman also reportedly urged personnel to leave Korea if they are not ready to respect its laws.

The aim is apparently to avoid any incident that could spark anti-American sentiment like the killing of two middle schoolgirls by a U.S. armored vehicle 10 years ago.

Thurman apologized in a press release right after the handcuffing incident in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province on July 5.